Thursday’s best bets
A novice chaser who fell last time out and is expected to start at around 1-7 is unlikely to appeal to many punters this afternoon, but anyone who was impressed by all but the final act of Might Bite’s run in the Grade One Kauto Star Novice Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day may want to get involved now for next month’s RSA Chase.
Might Bite was at least 15 lengths clear of the field as he came down to the last, and Daryl Jacob could have chosen to pop it with a minimum of fuss. Instead, he sent Might Bite into it like any other obstacle, and his partner got it badly wrong and suffered a heavy fall.
Despite that crushing disappointment for his backers, Might Bite’s performance was still enough to see him rise to the top of the BHA’s ratings for staying novice chasers, and he is currently top-priced at 6-1 with Boylesports and Ladbrokes for the RSA. If you fancy him for the Festival, this could well be the moment to get on.
Might Bite is not the only horse with a realistic chance at Cheltenham on show today, as Messire Des Obeaux, who took the Grade One Challow Hurdle at Newbury last time out, will line up for the Sidney Banks Memorial Hurdle at Huntingdon.
Messire Des Obeaux gave 7lb and a half-length beating to Ballyandy, a leading contender for Saturday’s Betfair Hurdle, at Sandown in early December, and did not need to improve a great deal to win the Challow on his next start. That win means that he is giving 8lb all round today, however, and Keeper Hill (2.20) is a very dangerous opponent who could make the weight concession count.
The market sees Messire Des Obeaux as a clear favourite at around 5-4, but Keeper Hill is a very live contender at 7-2 having won a novice event at Hereford in January with much more in hand than the bare form suggests. Skipthecuddles, second home there, was a six-length winner at Wetherby last Saturday, and Keeper Hill should outrun his odds this afternoon.
Protek Des Flos (3.20) and Bertenbar (3.50) also make plenty of appeal at the prices on the same card, while Snow Leopardess (2.30) should emerge in front in a competitive novice hurdle back at Doncaster.
Sutter County (2.05) is one of the most reliable and competent performers in the business on the all-weather circuit and will take all the beating at Lingfield, and
Zorba The Greek (8.30) has a live chance at around 13-2 on the evening card at Chelmsford City.
Thursday’s tips by Greg Wood
Doncaster
1.55 Pithivier 2.30 Snow Leopardess 3.00 Might Bite 3.30 Abbreviate 4.05 Chelsea Flyer 4.40 Gambol
Huntingdon
1.15 Bandon Roc 1.45 Petite Power 2.20 Keeper Hill (nap) 2.50 Protek Des Flos 3.20 Bertenbar 3.55 Petticoat Tails 4.30 Majestic Moll
Lingfield Park
1.35 Lunch 2.05 Sutter County (nb) 2.40 Welsh Inlet 3.10 Graceful Lady 3.40 Brooke’s Point 4.15 Oberyn 4.50 Starboard
Chelmsford City
5.50 Celtic Artisan 6.25 Babouska 7.00 Lostock 7.30 Shamshon 8.00 Mr Potter 8.30 Zorba The Greek
